A retro, high-quality Japanese specialty coffee shop with handmade matcha banana and strawberry pies

Text & photos byXiongmao Rudy

SIGRID Coffee on Nanjing East Road is a gorgeous and versatile boutique Japanese café that offers not only top-tier pour-over coffee but also excellent afternoon tea and light meals. Ever since high school, Xiong has loved spending time in cafés — the reason is simple: good food, drinks, and great conversation.

For Xiong, one of the most memorable places was a certain chain café with a traditional Japanese vibe. But as he grew older, American or European-style cafés, and even those with a strong literary and artistic atmosphere, became indispensable parts of his life. Add to that the fact that both Xiong and his cat drink about three cups of various coffees a day, and it’s clear he has a deep and essential connection to cafés.

This time, the destination was actually on the second floor of Section 1 of Nanjing East Road (right next to Shin Wang Business Hotel), a place Xiong and his cat happened to drive past about two or three weeks ago. They stopped at a red light, and Xiong said, “Hey? This café looks pretty unique. Let’s come try it sometime.” Little did they know that about a month later, they’d receive an invitation from SIGRID Coffee. It turns out this SIGRID Coffee has been open for less than half a year and emphasizes a fusion of Japanese and Western cuisine to offer a richer dining experience.

SIGRID Coffee is conveniently located. In terms of public transport, it’s right between Zhongshan Station and Songjiang Nanjing Station on the MRT, so it’s just a short walk away. For those driving, like Xiong, there’s also the convenient Linsen Park and Xinsheng Overpass parking lot nearby (parking convenience is really important). So whether you’re going on a date, having a business talk, or meeting up with friends, it’s easy to get here from anywhere.

Also, because it’s on the second floor and has an outdoor dining area (smoking section), you can enjoy your coffee with a view. But there are only nine tables, so be sure to make a reservation in advance. You might wonder why there are only nine tables — the reason is simple: to ensure everyone enjoys better service.

That’s why friends who’ve visited before often recommend it as a great spot for a first date. Aside from the comfortable environment, great food and drinks, and ease of conversation, it’s right across from the spacious Linsen Park, and a bit further away there are department stores, making it convenient for both fresh air chats and shopping.

After all that, Xiong will take you upstairs to experience the multifaceted charm of SIGRID Coffee. As you walk up to the second floor, you’ll see SIGRID Coffee’s sign. The outdoor space isn’t very big, but it has a comforting vibe. Pausing outside for a moment feels like time standing still — finding a relaxing corner in the hustle and bustle of Taipei is truly the simplest form of luxury.

As soon as you step inside, you’ll hear the warm greetings from the staff. SIGRID Coffee follows a Japanese management style, so the staff interact with a polite bow and soft-spoken manner. After asking around, it’s clear that premium Japanese-style service is the café’s biggest highlight. From Xiong’s personal experience, not only do you feel cared for with professional service, but you’ll leave happier than when you arrived.

Since it was their first visit, the staff explained that SIGRID Coffee is best known for its expert pour-over coffee and top-grade estate beans (it’s essentially the concept of a specialty coffee shop). Of course, besides offering various à la carte dishes and set meals during meal times, there’s also afternoon tea and desserts in the afternoon, with a minimum spend of 200 NT and an additional 10% service charge. The menu here is very clear, and with the staff’s friendly and professional explanations, it truly creates a thoughtful and cozy feeling.

Next, let’s take a look at the environment. Overall, the space is quite large, and the tables aren’t too close together, providing good privacy for chatting or dining (which also adds to the mystery on dates!). The café offers free Wi-Fi. Regular meal service hours are from 12 PM to 2 PM and 6 PM to 10 PM, so these times tend to be busier.

Additionally, SIGRID Coffee has some cute decorations on the tables, showing attention to detail and adding to the warm atmosphere — truly delightful. As soon as you sit down, the staff will promptly prepare utensils and water, fully demonstrating Japanese-style premium service.

On the other side, there’s also a fairly large space, with an outdoor area at the very back (the best view and also the smoking section, but remember to reserve or you might not get a seat).

A very comfortable outdoor area where you can chat while enjoying the scenery. (And of course, enjoy delicious food!!) At SIGRID Coffee, there’s a lot of Western-style design paired with red brick walls — a cozy mixed aesthetic.

Every corner has a serene and comfortable Japanese vibe, making it a great place for anyone who dislikes noise or disturbances. After experiencing the environment, it’s time to order.

In fact, aside from classic coffee, SIGRID Coffee also surprises with a rich variety of food options. Their set meals include things like shark fin or abalone — if you want it, you can order it.

When asked, the staff said someone orders such dishes every day. So SIGRID Coffee isn’t just a café — more accurately, it’s a fusion specialty restaurant with top-tier coffee.

There are also quite a few varied set meals. Overall, the pricing here leans toward the higher end, which naturally allows for more diverse dishes and ingredient choices.

There are also options for couples’ set meals.

If you want something simpler, like what Xiong chose today — a regular version of the set meal. Let’s see how the Japanese fried chicken cutlet set meal (490 NT) tastes. (Also, there are premium desserts with bird’s nest options available.)

The regular set meal options are many, and many nearby office workers or regulars choose them. If you want small dishes, there are à la carte options too.

Now that we’ve seen the main courses, let’s move on to the most important part of SIGRID Coffee: pour-over coffee and estate coffee.

And there are refined beverages to freely choose from. Finally, to fully experience the flavors of the drinks, ordering à la carte might feel a bit limited. That’s why SIGRID Coffee also offers an elegant double deluxe afternoon tea set (650 NT for two people). This time, Xiong tried the matcha banana pie and strawberry pie, along with a Western-style sandwich and two 220 NT drinks (coffee or tea).

There’s not only coffee and tea, but also alcoholic beverages and cocktails.

● ETtoday News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive after drinking.

About ten minutes after ordering, the Japanese fried chicken cutlet set meal (490 NT) was served. In terms of portion size, it’s on the delicate and refined side, very much in line with Japanese concepts. The dipping sauce includes savory mayonnaise, as well as daikon radish mash with orange vinegar sauce and pepper, plus three side dishes, soup, steamed rice, and a generously sized Japanese-style fried chicken cutlet.

The side dishes change daily, but they’re consistently fresh and delicious, never feeling like stale leftovers.

Both the plain rice and the soup were well-executed. For Xiong, the portions were just right—not overly filling, but more substantial than expected.

This plate of Japanese-style fried chicken showcased simple plating without compromising on refinement. It was incredibly enjoyable to eat because the coating remained tender even when cooled, and the juicy interior made every bite more satisfying.

The proof is in the pudding—the texture was tender and bursting with juice. Honestly, it was delicious, and it was hard to stop at just one bite. Normally, Xiong doesn’t like dipping fried chicken in sauce, but the savory and flavorful mayonnaise elevated the taste even more (the staff mentioned that a Japanese company president always pairs this mayonnaise with everything he orders!!)

To top it off, the entire set meal included dessert, fruit, and coffee—truly thoughtful. For Xiong, while SIGRID Coffee doesn’t compete on price, its attention to detail and richness reflect genuine care.

Next up, this lavish and generous set is SIGRID Coffee’s Elegant Deluxe Afternoon Tea for Two (NT$650, serves two). What Xiong and Miao tried included a matcha banana tart and a strawberry tart, along with a European-style sandwich and two drinks (tea or coffee, NT$220 for two). The strawberry tart and matcha banana tart are NT$150 each when ordered separately.

Since this was Xiong’s first visit, they asked the staff to recommend drinks for the afternoon tea set. The first tea served was the popular Blueberry Fruit Tea (NT$200 per pot). Its fresh and mellow flavor instantly won Xiong over. With the weather being alternately sweltering and chilly lately, a tangy and sweet tea was just perfect.

Next was one of SIGRID Coffee’s signatures: the Premium Blend Coffee (NT$200 per cup).

In essence, it had an aromatic and smooth entry, with subtle acidity and bitterness weaving an adult-style afternoon dream. To be fair, it was a well-balanced entry-level coffee. Of course, for those seeking a more advanced option, SIGRID Coffee also offers varieties like Fleur de Sel (NT$300 per cup), Golden Mandheling (NT$330 per cup), and some of Xiong’s personal favorites like Cuban and Ethiopian coffees. Watching the barista carefully hand-pour the coffee at the counter, Xiong thought they’d definitely have to return for another visit.

After the coffee, it was time to fully enjoy the desserts and afternoon tea selection.

First up was the matcha banana tart (NT$150 per piece), Miao’s favorite. SIGRID Coffee doesn’t just excel in savory dishes—their desserts are all handmade and quite healthy.

The rich matcha wasn’t just sweet but also packed with bold matcha aroma, paired with the sweetness of custard and the crispness of flaky layers. It was truly addictive. The banana added natural sweetness and a lingering fragrance, adding even more depth to the flavor. While combinations like custard and banana usually risk being overly sweet, this dessert struck a balance—its moderate sweetness was another plus.

Next was the strawberry tart (NT$150 per piece), offering yet another excellent visual and flavor experience.

Compared to bananas, strawberries are more visually appealing, and their slight acidity perfectly balances the sweetness. Each bite combined crispness, sweetness, and a touch of tartness in layers, making it the best-performing dessert of the day.

The final item—and the savory highlight of the afternoon tea set—was this European-style sandwich. Don’t underestimate the sandwich; it offered two distinct textures and flavors. The left side featured thinly sliced tomatoes with cheese, paired with chewy French bread, resulting in a refreshing and appetizing combination.

To Xiong, it seemed like a simple, ordinary pairing at first, but it turned out to have a back-to-basics charm. The other slice featured roasted and seasoned mixed vegetables, with juicy zucchini and large scallops adding aroma and a satisfying chew. For a European sandwich, it performed exceptionally well.

From Xiong’s perspective, spending over three hours experiencing SIGRID Coffee’s unique vibe, along with its coffee, desserts, and set meals, the overall flavors were excellent, and the place fulfilled its role as a well-rounded café and restaurant. Of course, due to the quality ingredients and attention to detail, the prices aren’t exactly low.

But with its unique retro decor, premium coffee, distinctive dishes, and comfortable ambiance, Xiong felt an urge to return. Whether for high-end business gatherings, privacy-focused first dates, or casual hangouts with friends, this location—with its convenient transportation and parking—is a great choice.

SIGRID Coffee
Address: 2F, No. 130-4, Sec. 1, Nanjing E. Rd., Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City
Phone: (02) 2531-7771
Business Hours: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Open daily)
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Sigrid-Coffee-%E5%92%96%E5%95%A1-439156379614915

Article by: BearMeow Rudy—a couple of food lovers who occasionally go wild splurging on food and fun, but generally live by the motto “Money is limited, appetite is endless.” Same-name blog"BearMeow Eats the World"is updated simultaneously; Facebook. BearMeow. Food Sharing.